Rotary car-dumping mechanism



Nbv. 20, 1951 H. F. FLOWERS 2,575,869

ROTARY CAR DUMPING MECHANISM Filed July 9, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

H. F. FLOWERS ROTARY CAR DUMPING MECHANISM Nov. 20, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 9, 1946 m w mm 0 0 E N 1% A w N LWHHMM U W mi QH F vi A J? v p l NW5; H hww NM F. W 5. mm A 8% m T m m ww mm aw MW N \A N In 6 MN mm MW Nov. 20, 1951 H. F. FLOWERS 2,575,859

ROTARY CAR DUMPING MECHANISM Filed July 9, 1946 8 Sheet's-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.

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ROTARY CAR DUMPING MECHANISM Filed July 9, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. BY 3. f fi/ wm Nov. 20, 1951 H. F. FLOWERS ROTARY CAR DUMPING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 9, 1946 INVENTOR.

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ROTARY CAR DUMPING MECHANISM Filed July 9, 1946 l 8 Sheec s-Sheet 7 r INVEN TOR.

Nov; 20, 1951 H. F. FLOWERS 2,575,369

' ROTARY CAR DUMPING MECHANISM Filed July 9, 1946 I 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR. BYW

m mgwp m Patented Nov. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,575,869 ROTARY CAR-DUMPING MECHANISM Henry Fort Flowers, Findlay, Ohio Application July 9, 1946, Serial No. 682,347

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a rotary car dumping mechanism wherein the car is turned upside down for dumping.

An object of the invention is to provide a car dumping mechanism which will move the car from normal position to an upside down" position and return the same automatically to normal position at a high speed without excessive shock to the mechanism.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide a rotary car dumping mechanism of the above type wherein gravity aids in moving the car to dumping position and in the return of the car to normal position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a car dumping mechanism wherein the rotation of the dumping mechanism is positively stopped at full dumping position to aid in loosening the material from the side walls and bottom of the car.

A further object of the invention is to pro- Vide a rotary car dumping mechanism of the above type wherein a stop limits the rotation of the dumping mechanism when the car is returned to righted position and a latch for automatically locking the dumping mechanism in its normal position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a dumping mechanism of the above type with combined actuating and cushioning cylinders for initiating the dumping movement and controlling the movement thereof under the action of gravity.

A still further object of the invention is to pro vide a five-way valve for supplying fluid to the control cylinders for venting said cylinders to the atmosphere and for closing the ports to check the movement of the pistons.

A still further object of the invention is to provide control cams which operate successively to shift the valve after it is once set for initiating the dumping movement so as to permit free movement of the dumping mechanism under the action of gravity, checking the movement at the end of the dumping stroke, automatically initiating the return of the dumping mechanism toward normal position, permitting the free movement of the dumping mechanism under the action of gravity toward normal position and checking the movement of the dumping mechanism at the end of the return stroke.

These and other objects will in part be obvious and will in part be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

Claims. (01. 214-52) In the drawings, which show by way of illustration one embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a front view of the car dumping mechanism and showing more or less diagrammatically the mounting of the same above a bin into which the load is to be dumped, the dumping mechanism being in normal position with the loaded car therein;

Figure 2 is a side view of the dumping mechanism;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the dumping mechanism as having moved the car through an angle of degrees toward dumping position;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the dumping mechanism in full dumping position and the load as discharged into a bin beneath the same;

Figure 5 is an end view of the rotary dumper showing more in detail the inner frame structure on which the car to be dumped is supported:

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the control valve;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the lever for operating the valve;

Figure 8 is a detail showing the shiftable cam which initiates the movement of the dumping mechanism, also showing one of the stops for holding the bull wheels in normal position and one of the latches which hold said bull wheels in their normal set position;

Figure 9 is a view showing diagrammatically the valve, the control cylinder and piston with the valve set for initiating the dumping movementand also showing the position of the car in the dumping mechanism;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, but showing the valve moved to a position where the actuating fluid is shut ofi and the position of the car in the dumping mechanism at this time;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10, but showing the valve as moved so as to connect both ends of the cylinder with the atmosphere to permit free movement of the dumping mechanism under the action of gravity Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11 but showing the valve as shifted to a position where the cylinder at the inner end thereof is closed so asto slow down the movement of the dumping mechanism'as it approaches the final dumping position;

Figure 13 shows the valve as shifted, at the end of the dumping stroke, for initiating the return of the dumping mechanism toward normal position;

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15, but

showing the valve moved so as to close. the inner,

end of the cylinder to the atmosphere, thus providing for the checking of the moyement of the dumping mechanism normal position.

The improved dumping mechanism includes an outer supporting frame in which are mounted bull wheelsconnected bya frame structureforming a' support for the, car which is to be dumped. Thesefbull wheels are provided' with. relatively smooth rims engaging rollers at each side of the main frame and thus'the bull wheels and the frame structure carried thereby'are supported for free rotation. There are rollers at each'end of the dumping mechanism which engage the peripheral side edges of the rim for preventing endwise movement of the dumping mechanismin the frame structure. This frame structure'is mounted on the sidewalls of the bin in which the contents of the car isto be dumped.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the main frame structure includesa cross sill I at each end thereof. There are vertically disposed channel iron posts 2, 2 at eachside ofthe frame structure. Connected with the cross sill and the a it pnmaghwitsfinal.

rails extend from one bull wheel to the other. There are also channel bars 23 23 connecting the vertical bars l8, 18. There are side plates 2|, 2| and a bottom plate 22 which form housings on three sides of the space into which the car is moved on the supporting rails 20, 20. These bull wheels, connecting bars and plates form what will be hereinafter referred to as a dumper.

There are angle bars 23, 23 carried by the dumper underneath which the top edges of the sides of the car move and these angle bars 23, 23 are so disposed that when the rotary dumper turns so as to move the car to upside down position the car, will rest on these angle bars. There is suificient clearance to permit the car to be readily moved beneath these angle bars.

There are also side guide bars 24, 24 which support a car from sidewise movement as it is moved to upside down position and returned to normal position. There are end plates disposed between these channel bars i 8,18 and the web IT and also en th cross bar or. eam. is and. web. 11. This 1form s a closurefor the bull wheels except for'the space through which the car moves inte the dumper.

In Figure 1 of the drawings, the car tONbe dump-ed is indicated at 25, andit has a load 2B therein which may be of coa broken stone, or any other similar product. The car is indicated diagrammatically and the wheels 21,; 21 are shown asresting on the rails 20,120,.ofthedumping mechanism. It is noted that the upper edge of the sides of the cars is directly beneath the angle plate 23 and the side walls of thecarare close to the side guide bars 241t At the same time, there is suificient clearance to permitthe 7 car to be readily run on therails and into the channel posts are housings 3, 3' in which are mounted supporting wheels 4, 4. These wheels are carried by suitable bearing spindles 5, 5 mounted in the housings, and any suitable neans may be provided for supporting the wheels on the spindles. These frame structures at each end of the dumping mechanism are connected by channel bars 6, i, 8 and 9. There are side plates I0 and connected to the inner sides of these channel bars, see Figure 4, and there are side plates and i2 connected to thechannel barsat the other side of the main framework, These plates form a housing for the side 'of theframework up to the top end of the side posts. The plates, however, terminate so as to leave'the frame structure open at the lower sidethereof.

A bull wheel i3 is disposed at each end of the rim M which is smooth and this rests on the rollers 4, 4. Mounted on the upper side of the housings 3, 3 are brackets l5, I5 and journaled in these brackets l5, l5 are rollers l6, 16. There is a roller IE5 at each side of the frame structure and these rollers engage the peripheral outside edges of the bull wheels l3, 13. This will pre vent the bull wheels from shifting longitudinally of the frame structure on the supporting rollers d, 4. Each bull wheel has "an annular web I! which supports the rim. Vertical channel bars I8, [8 are connected at their upper and, lower ends to the web IT. These channel bars are spaced from each other so as to receivefreely a car therebetween;

A cross beam or channel bar l9 isconnected to these vertical bars 58 and rails 20, 20 are mounted on. this'cross bar or cross beam. There is, of course, a cross beam at each bull wheel and the,

frame structure and said bull wheel includes a r dumping mechanism. The, coupling or drawhead of the car is indicated at 28. This drawhead orcoupling is of the universal type and the centers 29 of the draw-heads when the car is in the dumper are in aline connecting the centers of the bull wheels and this is the center of rotation of the dumper. The dumper can therefore be rotatedfor turning the car about the center of this draw-headwithout uncoupling the car from othencars in the train. In other words, individual cars of the train may be dumped'without disconnecting the car from the train. The center of gravity of the loadedcar is indicated at 30, Figure 1. Inasmuch asthis center of gravity 30 is well above the center or axis offrotation 29 of the bull wheels, as soon as the bull wheels have been turned through a relatively 'small angle, gravity will aid in the rotation-of the bull wheels toward dumping position.

In Figure 3 of the drawings, the dumperis shown as rotated through substantially 'de-l grees in its dumping movementand in Figure 4 the dumper isshown as rotated to fulldumping position.

Mounted on the periphery of each bull wheel is a plate 3}. This plate 3i engages'ia s'top fizf when the bull wheel is in normal position for receiving a car. The stop sicarries a fixed collar 33 and extends freely through a braokett i There is a springdE-i between thecollar .33 the bracket and a'nut36 is threaded ontothe lower, end of the stop member. This nut is so set that the spring is' under tension 'when the plate, 3! is out offcontact withthe stop and therefore when thebull wheel is returned to. normal position, the plate 3lcontacting; with this stop will positively stop the bull wheel a pie-determined position where the rails will be in alignment with the rails outside of the dumper or the tracks on which the train of cars moves. There is a similar stop 40 at the other side of the framework which is supported by a spring 41 and when the car is in full dumping position as shown in Figure 4, this plate 3i engages the stop and this will limit any further movement of the dumper.

There is a shaft 38 extending lengthwise of the frame and a latch bar 31 carried thereby for each bull wheel. A handle 39 is attached to the shaft for turning the same. The weight of the parts holds the latch bars in the path of movement of theplates. When the plates strike the latch bars, the latch bars will yield and allow the plates to pass and swing back to automatically hold the dumper in its normal position for permitting an empty carto be removed and a filled car to move into place for dumping.

Mounted on the channel bar Hi and the channel bars 6 and I which extend lengthwise of the dumping mechanism are spaced brackets 42, 42. A cylinder 43 is mounted on the brackets. The cylinder is provided with trunnions 44 which are journaled in bearing blocks 45 carried by these brackets 42, 42. Within thecylinder 43 is a piston 46 to which is connected a piston rod 47. The piston rod in turn is connected to a pin 48. This pin 48 (see Figure 5) is rigidly supported by channel bars 49, 49 extending from the cross beam 22 to the web of the bull wheel. There are similar brackets and a cylinder assembly associated with the other bull Wheel (see Figure 2).

When fluid is admitted to the inner end of the cylinders and beneath the piston it will move the bull wheels and thus impart rotation to the dumper. If both ends of the cylinders are open to the atmosphere, then the pistons are free to move in the cylinders and will not interfere with the rotation of the bull wheels under the action of gravity thereon. When the ports at the inner end of the cylinders are closed, then the piston if moving toward the inner end of the cylinder will compressthe air therein and check or slow down the movement of the bull wheels as the dumper approaches final dumping position with the car upside down, and when the dumper is returned to normal position. Fluid, preferably air, is supplied through the pipe 55 to a valve mechanism 5|. The valve mechanism is connected by pipes 52 to the inner ends of the cylinders, and by pipes 53 to the outer ends thereof. The pipes 52 contain a swivel connection 520; which is in alignment with the axis on which the cylinders are mounted. The pipe 53 is providedwith a swivel connection 53 which is disposed likewise on the axis of scillation of the cylinders. In Figure 6 of the drawings, the control valve is shown in detail. This valve has ports to which the pipes 52 are connected. Also this valve has a port to which the pipes 53 are connected. The piston 54 of the valve reciprocates in the valve housing in the usual way. This piston is mounted on a rod 55 and there are the usual packings between the piston and valve and the cylindrical wall of the chamber in which the piston moves. The outer ends of the valve casing are connected to the atmosphere through ports 56. When the valve is in the position shown in Fig ure 6, then each end of the cylinder is connected with the atmosphere through the ports 56. If the valve is shifted to the right so as to connect the space 51 surrounding the piston to the port connected to the pipes 52, then air or fluid from the supply wil be directed through the pipes 52 to the inner end of the cylinders. If this valve should be shifted in the opposite direction so as to connect this space 51 with the port leadin to the pipes 53, then the air would be delivered to the outer ends of the cylinders. If the valve is shifted so as to close the port leading to the pipes 52, then the inner end of the cylinder will be closed both to the atmosphere and to the air supply and the piston in its movement toward the inner end of the cylinder will be cushioned.

. The valve rod 55 is connected to an operating rod 58. This operating rod 58 is connected to a lever 59. The lever 59 is mounted in a bracket 60 carried by the outer frame of the dumping mechanism. This lever has an arm 6| carrying a roller 62. Mounted on the bull wheel at the end of the damper adjacent the control lever 59 is a cam plate 63. Said cam plate is pivotally supported at B4. A spring 65 connected to the cam plate and to an anchor on the face of the bull wheel normally moves the cam plate to the right as viewed in Figure 8. The roller 62 bears against the inner faceof this cam plate. When it is desired to initiate the movement of the dumping mechanism, the latch 31 is released and then the control lever 59 is moved so that the roller contacting with the cam plate 63 will move to the dotted line position shown in Figure 8. This movement of the control lever shifts the valve to the position shown in Figure 9. When the valve is in this position fluid, preferably air, is directed to the inner end of the cylinders and this will force the pistons outward, thus the pull of the piston rods will turn the bull wheels and the dumper in a clockwise direction and toward dumping position.

Mounted on the bull Wheel is a cam plate 66. This cam plate is so positioned that when the cam plate moving with the bull wheel reaches the roller 62, it will force the roller to the right to the dotted line position indicated at til. This will shift the valve to the position shown in Figure 10 where the port connected to the pipes leading to the inner end of the cylinders is closed. When air is used, it will be under some compression at this time and its expansion will assist in the moving of the dumpin mechanism. Inasmuch as the outer end of the cylinder is at this time open to the atmosphere, gravity acting on the loaded car will cause the dumper to rotate in a clockwise direction and bring about a very rapid movement of the dumper. When the cam plate 68 contacts with the roller 62, it will shift it to the position indicated in Figure 11 Where both ends of the cylinder are open to the atmosphere.

At this time the dumper has moved the car through substantially degrees and the pistons are free to move in either direction and therefore gravity operates to move the dumper and the car therein very rapidly on toward its dumping position. As the bull wheel continues its movement, the roller 62 will contact with the cam plate 69 and this will shift the valve to the posiwith a shock.

movement the plates 3! engagethestopsdfl Whichare spring pre-loaded, and-the stopswillf yield butipositively stop the movement of the dumper This will loosen any. material sticking to the walls of thecar. The. dumperhas now completed its. dumping movement and is readyto return to normal upright position.

The. weight of the frame structure of the damper is so distributed that the'center of weight, with,,,the car'in dumpedposition, isabove. the

centerof rotation of the .dumper, as indicated at 30%.; Therefore. gravity willassistin returning the.

dumper to normal righted. position. It may be thatafter .thefload has .beendumped from thecar that the center of weight will automaticallyinitiate the return of the dumper. If not the roller contacting with thecam plate Hi will shift the valve to the position shown Figure .13 and when so positioned fiuid will be admitted tothe inner endsof the cylinders andthiswilliorce the dumper to turn in a counter-clockwise directiontoward normal position.

As the bull wheel moves in a counter-clockwise.

with the roller 62 and shift the valve to the posi' tion shown in Figure 15 where both ends of the cylinders are open to the atmosphere and the. pistons will be permitted to move quicklytothe outer end of their stroke and thence inwardly as the dumper moves the car to righted position.v

The continued movement of thedumping mechanism toward normal position willhring the cam plate 73 into contact with the roller. 62 and thus move the valve to the position shown in Figure 16 wherein the port leading to the'inner end of the cylinders is closed, thus trapping air which serves to cushion the movement of the.

piston as the bull wheel moves into contact with the stop 32. The latchesare then swung by gra ity and lock the bull wheels in this returned position' with the rails of the dumper in alignment.

with the outside track rails.

' Associated with the bin is a gate Mpivoted atwhich swings from a position shown in Figure 4 to a position at the oppositeside of thedischarge opening. Thus it is that the load may be discharged into one binor the other as indicated insaid figure. of acrank arm 76 connected to a'link'l'i which in turn is connected to a piston 78 in the=cylinder This gate is operated by means 19. Fluid may be admitted to either end of this" cylinder for controlling the position of the gate.- It is thought that the operation of thedumpingq.

mechanism will be clear from. the detailed -de- A hrief scription which has been given. above;

summary, however, will be given of one cycle'of dumping operation.

After the loaded car has beenmoved into the dumper, the latch lever isoperated to release=the latches and then the control lever 58 is turned so as to shift the control valve. The cam 63 yields to permit this movement ofthe control lever."

The shifting of the valve admits air into' the cylinders which applies tension force through the piston rods: to; the pins :thehullwheelshnd his:

initiatesztherotation oi.-.the dumper. ,;When the camfiii engages-thezroller (i2 :onthecontrol valve,- the Valve. will be Shifted automatically to lapped position; thus closing oif the supply of air and utilizing the, expansiomof, :the compressed air to contribute an accelerating force which added to the action of gravity of; the load causes: the

dump er to: rotateaclockwise direction quickly towarddumping position. When the cam 68 engagesthe :roller 62;."the control lever will be shifted so as .to move-thewalveto centralposition and permit, airgto move out of the cylinders.

tothe atmosphere-.1 The dumpercoastsuntil the cam 10 engages the roller 62,:then the valve will be moved backto lappedrposition to buildup air pressure for decelerating the rotating movement at full dum position. 1.

Thecam H3 approaches. the roller 52' and shifts the control lever soas to supply. air to reverse and accelerate therotary movement back to nor-.7

mal position. If the cams 69 and it do not stop the clockwise dumping movement, the, plate 3| will contact with the stop Mlwhich-is cushioned so as to provide apositive stop with the car upside down. full dump position. These cams 59 and 10 may beset or located so that the rotating movement will always be stopped by the plate 3! striking thestop. This will cause the rotating movement to cease suddenly enough to transmit shock to. the car body for shaking loose any sticking material which might not otherwise flow out of the car by gravity. The cam 10 has reopened the port to admit air pressure tothe cylinder andrair operating on the piston will positively insurethe initiation .of the return movement of the dumper. The cam! l shifts the valve to lapped positionso that the expansion of the.

air inthe cylinder will accelerate the movement toward normal position by the expansion of the air assistingtheaction of gravity which is shifted.

to the opposite .side of the center of rotation,

when the load is dumped or removed from the.

car. The, cam, .12 moves. the...valve to neutral position. with theportsopen to atmosphere so that the movementlby aid of gravity will rotate the dumpertoward normalposition will sufficient.

velocity to overcome friction and, maintain a comparatively high speed ofrotation until the.

cam 13 engages theroller' and moves the valve to lapped position which builds'up, pressure in the cylinder tocheck the returning movement of the dumper, The plate 31 engages the stop 32 when the dumper'hasj completed its return to normal position. These stops 32 are controlled.

by pre-loaded springs which are adjusted so as to hold the dumper in horizontal position with the tracks therein in alignment with the track rails at each endof the dumper. As the dumper is stopped by the compression springs the latches which are moved by gravity will positively hold.

the dumper'in its normal horizontal position for removing the'empty car and admitting another loaded car;

As hasalready been 3 noted. the car couplings are arranged to permit the rotation and dumping of one or more cars in a train'without uncoupling.

said cars from the train.

It is noted that the pistons are connected to therotary dumper with a minimum amount of dead air space at the beginning of the stroke and this reduces the required volume of air to a minimum. for initiating the rotation of the dumper; This same minimum dead air space is.

used for'cushioning and reversing 1 the dumper as it approaches and returns 'from' full dumped position. It is also utilized for cushioning and arresting the return movement of the dumper. The pipes 52 leading from the valve are connected to ports located wholly within the headers of the cylinders and this is what permits the piston to move close to the header and thus provide a minimum amount of head space between the piston and the inner header.

It should finally be noted that this dumping mechanism may be quite satisfactorily used even where gravity does not assist in both the operations of overturning the cars and returning them to an upright position. It would ordinarily be desirable from the standpoint of a minimum power requirement to adjust the balance of the dumper so that gravity assists in both directions; however, the five-way valve affords positive control of the pressure in the actuating cylinders, and satisfactory operation can be obtained in any case by the appropriate adjustment of the valve operating cams so as to apply sufiicient pressure to the cylinders when opposing gravity. This type of operation may be desirable when space, weight, car design, or other limitations make it undesirable to have a position of the rotating axis of the dumper between the centers of gravity of the dumper car unit, car loaded and car empty.

It is obvious that many changes in the details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention asset forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

, 1. A dumping mechanism for mine cars or the like comprising a frame structure, a dumper mounted therein for rotation about a horizontal axis, means within the dumper for supporting a loaded car, the parts of the dumper being so distributed relative to the axis of rotation that the center of weight of the dumper with the loaded car therein is above the axis of rotation, and the center of weight of the dumper when the car is emptied and in dumping position is above said axis whereby the force of gravity may be used for rotating the dumper toward dumping position and for automatically returning the dumper to righted position after the load has been dumped, cylinders mounted on saidframe structure, a piston in each cylinder, piston rods connecting the pistons to the dumper, a valve associated with said cylinders, fluid pressure means connected to said valve, means for shifting the valve for initiating the dumping movement, and means carried by the dumper forautomatically shifting the valve so as to permit free movement of the dumper under the action of gravity and so as to check the movements of the dumper as it approaches full dumping position.

2. A dumping mechanism for mine cars or the like comprising a farme structure, a dumper mounted therein for rotation about a horizontal axis, means within the dumper for supporting a loaded car, the parts of the dumper being so distributed relative to the axis of rotation that the center of weight of the dumper with the loaded car therein is above the axis of rotation, and the center of weight of the dumper when the car is emptied and in dumping position is above said axis whereby the force of gravity may be used for rotating the dumper toward dumping position and for automatically returning the dumper to righted position after the load has been dumped, cylinders mounted on said frame structure, a piston in each cylinder, piston rods associated with said cylinders, fluid pressure means connected to said valve, means for shifting the valve for initiating the dumping movement, means carried by the dumper for automatically shifting the valve so as to permit free movement of the dumper under the action of gravity and so as to check the movements of the dumper as it approaches full dumping position, and automatic means for initiating the return movement of the dumper, for shifting the valve to permit free movement of the dumper by the action of gravity and for shifting the valve to check the movement of the dumper as it approaches normal full upright position.

3. The combination of a rotary dumper and means to support it about a fixed axis, actuating cylinders attached to the frame structure of the dumper, pistons in said cylinders, piston rods connecting the pistons to the dumper at similarly located points eccentric to the axis of the dumper, said points being placed so as to pass through dead center when the dumper is midway between upright and fully dumped position, a valve associated with said cylinders, fluid pressure means connected to said valve, and means for shifting the valve to initiate and control the movement of the dumper toward and from dumped position.

4. The combination of a rotary dumper and means to support it about a fixed axis, actuating cylinders attached to the frame structure of the dumper, pistons in said cylinders, piston rods connecting the pistons to the dumper at similarly located points eccentric to the axis of thedumper, said points being placed so as to pass through dead center when the dumper is midway between upright and fully dumped position, a valve associated with said cylinders, fluid pressure means connected to said valve, and means to change position of the valve during the dumping operation so as to automatically control the movement of the dumper toward and from the dumped position.

5. A rotary dumper adapted to rotate partially about its long axis, means within the dumper for supporting a loaded car, the parts of the dumper being so distributed relative to the axis of rotation that the center of weight of the dumper with the loaded car therein is above the axis of rotation, and the center of weight of the dumper when the car is emptied and in dumping position is above said axis whereby the force of gravity may be used for rotating the dumper toward dumping position and for automatically returning the dumper to righted position after the load has been dumped, actuating cylinders attached to the frame structure of the dumper, pistons in said cylinders, piston rods connecting the pistons to the dumper at similarly located points eccentric to the axis of the dumper, said points being placed so as to pass through dead center when the dumper is midway between upright and fully dumped position, a valve associated with said cylinders, fluid pressure means connected to said valve, and means for shifting the valve to initiate movement of the dumper and bring it to a controlled cushion stop both in dumping and returning to upright position.

6. A dumping mechanism for mine cars: or the like comprising a frame structure, a dumper mounted therein for rotation about a horizontal axis, means within the dumper for supporting a loaded car, a cylinder mounted on trunnions on said frame structure, a piston within said pi t n asma theadumper at a;point, ,eccentric,to theaxis, of

,cylinder, a piston rod connecting the ,piston to v thedumper, said point beingplaced so as to pass t mus d ad e e when-t e du peris midw y 'w e st m e is i u ri pos ionanda ain at the, inner end of thecylinderwhen the dumper has been rotated to fully dumped position, a Xalve associated' with said cylinder, fluid pressure. m eans connecteditothe valve, andmeans for shiftin the .,valve whereby fluid is admitted ,todhe nner end of the. cylinder for'moving the 7 niti-atena-movement of the dumper and whereby-said innerend of the cylinder is closed so ,as,.,to. chec k .the. movement of the kdumper. as itqapproaches. fully dumped position.

-7.-,A dumping mechanism forlminecars orthe like comprising a frame structure a (dumper mounted therein forrotationabout a, horizontal axis,v means within the dumperfor supporting a loaded, car, a cylinder. mounted, on trunnionson saidframastructure, apiston within, said, cylinder, a. piston..rod. connecting-the piston .tothe dumper, at a point eccentric. to. the ,axis of vthe dumper, said point;being-placed so .asto pass through dead center when the dumper isimidway between. upright and fully dumped position,,,the piston being at the inner end of the .ctllit derwhen the dumper isin upright positionand again at the-v inner end. of .the cylinder when the, dumper ha be r tat d tefu lv dump dpos t nrava v asso at d W th s -c d a; nort-al a nsirom th va v t rou h-th adat-rthefinn ri end of the cylinder, ,where the,clearance between the pist n-a d 21 2 6 41: reduc d. t a,..m mum, fluidtpressure- -means connected ,withthe valve; and,means.for shifting the: valve whereby fluid is, admitted to, the inner end of. the cylinder for, moving they piston for accelerating ,theinitial movement ofthedumperrand whereby the-inner 7 end of the cylinder is, closed so as to decelerate the movementpftthe dumper as itrapproaches fully dumped position. r -8, nidumpingmechanism for mine cars or the like I comprising a frame .structure, 2, dumper mounted ,therein for-rotation about a horizontal axis, means within the dumper for supporting a loaded car, cylinders.-mounted on trunnions on said frame. structure, pistons within said. cylinders; piston rods; connecting the pistons to the dumper: at; points eccentric to-the axis .of the dumper, saidmoints-being placed'so as to pass through deadcenter when the dumper is midway betweenupright r and fully-dumped position, a valv associated :with; said cylinders; fluid --pressure means connected.:to saidrvalve and means for-shifting the valve toinitiate and control the movements; of the ;dumper toward; and;from dumping position. a

\ 9. A dumping, mechanism for mine cars or the like comprising a frame structure, a dumper mounted therein ,for rotation about a horizontal axis, meanswithin the dumper for supporting a loaded car, cylinders mounted on trunnions on said frame structure, pistons within said cylinders, piston rodsconnecting the pistons toy-the dumper .at-points eccentric to theaxis of the dumper, said points being placed so as topass through deadcentenwhen the dumperis mid- Way between upright and fully dumped position,\ a valve associated with said cylinders; fluid pres-,

sure means connected to said valve, meansfor manually shifting-the valve for initiating-the dumping movement, and means carried bythe dumper for automatically'shifting thevalve so as to check the'movement of the dumper as it approaches full dumped position.

10. A dumpingmechanism for mine cars or the like comprising arframe structure, a dumper mounted therein for rotation about a horizontal axis, means within the dumper for supporting a loaded car, cylinders amounted on trunnions on said frame structure, pistonswithinsaid-tylinders, :piston "rods connecting the pistons" to'zthe dumper at points eccentric to the axis 'of the dumpen'said points being placed so'as:to' pass through dead center when the dumper is midway between upright and fully dumped position, a valve associated with said cylinderafluid pressure means connected to said valve, means for shifting the valve for initiatingthe-"dumping movement, means carried by the dumper 'for automatically shifting the Ivalve so as 'to-succes- 'sively check the movement of the dumper as it approaches full dumped position, initiatethe return movement of the dumper and check the movement of the dumper as it approaches normal full upright position. V

a HENRY FORT FLOWERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STA TES PATENTS 

